Monday, July 18, 2011

Brilliant Silence

Oh Mutemath... how are you consistently so damned incredible?





Also, check their website for one of the coolest, most badass ideas ever. Remix your own track!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

3 Swedish Berries

Way back when, I discovered a brilliant Swedish solo artist by the name of Jose Gonzalez.  Jose has been one of those songwriters to fill the void of lonely nights at home where music and only music can provide that perfect escape.

Unbeknownst to me, Gonzalez was once in a full band by the name of Junip.  They were formed over 10 years ago by friends whom, after working their way through the hardcore and punk scene, yearned for something different, softer and more unique. Grand experimentation at the turn of the millennium helped them to hone their sound towards something simple, and yet full of life.  But just as they started to gain momentum with the 2005 release of the Black Refuge EP, the same freedom and passion that made incredible music drove them apart.  Side interests, including Gonzalez' solo work, left Junip as a secondary thought that would fall dormant for years.

The three would pick up again in 2010 and release their first full length, Fields.  Now, they push towards the second recording of their rebirth In Every Direction and continue to make music which I can completely lose myself in.



The last thing you wrote was the last I would ever read

Monday, July 11, 2011

A Lopsided Walk

Some days, I get both confused and annoyed by the cheesiness of my own title puns. However, today, if you didn't get my obscure joke (you didn't) I am going to talk about one of my NXNE finds, Little Foot Long Foot.
Happening upon this band by complete chance before a Jordan Cook set at the Hideout, LFLF caught me off guard and wowed me with a full, swaggering blues rock sound.  Getting their start as a two piece around 4 years ago, this band has evolved into a force of rock n roll.  I'd be lying if I said I knew what this band sounded like as a duo, however, the addition of Caitlin Dacey on vocals and organ seems to be exactly what this sound needed.  Differentiating their sound and providing a much wider spectrum than could be accomplished with a bass, Caitlin adds a hauntingly perfect vocal fit to front-woman Joan Smith's vocals in addition to the classic feel of the keys.  Throw in a dash of the ever-dynamic drum style of Isaac Klein, and this band has become a three piece to keep your eye on.


They've just released a video off their new album, Oh Hell, and while I'm still confused as to who the hell is trying to kill or partner with whom, the important part is there: the song rocks.



-Drown me in your sentimental puddle of tears

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Attack with no Legs

I've always been scared to death of snakes... I don't know what it is, I just don't trust something that can move that fast without legs.  Yup... going to hell.

Right then... today we're going to talk about a band that Sir Ian Blurton introduced to me.  Way back when I had the chance to interview him, we shot the shit about music for a while and he mentioned a few bands he thought I'd dig, including Vancouver's Battle Snakes.  He introduced them to me under the heading that if I was a fan of Tricky Woo and Pride Tiger... I would dig this band.


So, they're pretty damned awesome, however, as a message to everyone who ever speaks to me, NEVER, say that a band you know is like Tricky Woo and Pride Tiger unless they are exactly like those two bands, because those are two of my favorite bands of all time, and the anticipation and subsequent let down almost killed me.

'Let down' is harsh, so let me start again.  Had I not been comparing Battle Snakes to my rock and roll idols, this band would have (and technically still does) blown my mind.  They're just my kind of breed of rough around the edges, riff heavy, in your face swaggering punk infused rock n roll.  I can only imagine they're live show is about as insane as a clown chasing you with two chainsaws (come to TO and prove me right).  This isn't poetry, this isn't Mozart, this is fucking rock n roll... just how I like it.

It's tough to find a lot of their tunes online, and even more difficult to find video, but track down what you can and enjoy the madness.  Also, I'm sorry for the Trick Woo / Pride Tiger thing... somebody please convince those two bands to get back together or I might cry... again.



-Damaged sounds leaking from the underground

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Bitter Citrus

Happy long weekend everyone.

I'm trying my best to rebuild a complete human being after a few days in the trenches.  Part of this process involves the right kind of music.  Enter Jake & Jess.  Whilst visiting Manitoba and trying not to die, we spent a lot of time chilling on the patio with good tunes.  One of the new pickups I got was a two piece from California named Pomplamoose.


Beyond some ridiculously catchy music, this duo ridiculously talented multi-instrumentalists have pioneered a new way to harness the power of the internet (ha!) through a medium called Videosongs.  Simply put, they are mashups of the two recording where WYSIWYG.

My recommendation: watch the video below, become immensely captivated, navigate to their youtube channel, and spend the next hour watching this genius pair at work.



-I've got to pour my heart out this time